A recent recommendation by the Standing Committee on Social Development called for a five-year bar of those convicted of family violence from running for territorial office.

While meant to send a strong message against the ‘epidemic levels’ of family violence in the territory, many MLAs felt the recommendation would encroach on the voter’s right to choose their own representative, regardless of criminal history.

That extended to one of their own.

Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli addressed what was on everyone’s mind: if this recommendation had been in place two years ago, he wouldn’t be sitting in the House.